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My Settings
posted 2/29/2012 by
Cyril Lachel
other articles
by Cyril Lachel
It's not always easy to be an SSX fan. After releasing four back-to-back games on the PlayStation 2, Electronic Arts opted to put the successful franchise on hiatus for close to seven years. Along the way we've been subjected to a disappointing Wii game, tons of delays and an E3 trailer that made the reboot look like a Call of Duty game. After so much drama and speculation, it's a relief to say that this long-overdue SSX sequel does the franchise proud.
SSX doesn't pretend to reinvent the wheel; this is still a fast-paced snowboarding game in which players race and trick their way to gold medals. The annoying announcer suggests that it's a combination of snowboarding and motocross, which probably sounded more elegant on paper. I say SSX is more like Burnout meets Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It's a lot like speeding 150 miles per hours down a treacherous mountain full of rocks and leaps of faith. Actually, it's exactly like that.
This new SSX is brought to you by the team behind the Skate series. Despite not being very good at them, I'm generally a fan of the series. You can see the Skate influence in the default control scheme, which has players using the right analog stick to pull off jumps, tricks and more. Thankfully players can opt for the decidedly easier button configuration. This ends up feeling a lot more like classic SSX games, though it's not a carbon copy of On Tour or other PlayStation 2 era releases.
The trick system isn't overly complicated, which is perfect when you're barreling down a hill at breakneck speeds. There are three different move types, each of which can be modified by holding the right trigger. As you spin, grab and grind tricks out, you'll earn multipliers and a boost meter that will let you create bigger and better signature moves. You can also use the boost meter to increase your speed, something that is invaluable during races. There's a nice give-and-take that forces players to do tricks to keep their speeds high.
The game's impressive 153 drops include some of the most recognizable mountains in the world. Get ready to trick off of Mount Everest, Kilimanjaro and dozens of other popular peaks from around the world. SSX uses a satellite mapping technology that allows the developers to create incredibly realistic paths that reflect the look of the real place. Thankfully they have added crazy jumps, tons of grind opportunities and everything else that makes this kind of video game fun.
What has always set SSX apart from the crowd is its use of non-linear level designs. Although you are always headed in the same direction (down), there are countless ways of getting there. Sometimes it's as simple as taking a diverging path, while other times you'll find a hidden passageway in a cave or take a jump over the competition. There is an impressive amount of depth to each one of these drops, offering enough incentive to replay them over and over again.
There are times when you can see the threads of what could have been. The brand new World Tour mode gives us a look at the Deadly Descent, a term that nearly became this reboot's subtitle. Here you take a trip around the globe, tricking off some of the world's best known mountains and racing against a whole host of familiar faces. The diverse locales include Alaska, the Rockies, Siberia, Africa, the Alps, the Himalayas and more. These locations have a number of peaks to explore each with their own set of drops and challenges.
These nine regions play out in a similar fashion. Here you'll be introduced to a different member of the SSX troupe. That person will then be told to earn a bunch of points in trick mode and complete a series of races. The game throws increasingly challenging missions at you until you're ultimately ready to take on the game's boss battle -- Deadly Descent.
Each of the nine Deadly Descent challenges is different. In one stage you'll be speeding down a mountain while an avalanche tries to gobble you up. In other stages you'll be navigating a series of caverns with little more than a light attached to your helmet. An early challenge has players fighting strong winds, while later levels force you to contend with rocks and ice.
Some of these de facto boss stages offer new items and gameplay mechanics. In one stage you'll be given a special suit that lets you glide through the air for a short amount of time. This plays into an especially challenging course full of suicide drops. In another stage you will be given an oxygen mask to survive the impossibly thin air. Some of these special items add to the fun and variety of SSX, while others feel gimmicky. Thankfully, once you're done with that region it's off to meet a new character and battle another natural disaster.
Playing the World Tour mode opens up a batch of new characters you can take into the game's other modes. When you're not advancing the ridiculous storyline (complete with motion comics for each snowboarder), you're exploring the ridiculous number of drops. Here you will find a near endless stream of challenges, including trick, race and survival events on practically all of the 153 drops. This is a massive undertaking to complete; thankfully you'll be able to compare your best runs against your friends.
SSX wisely steals a version of the Autolog, the innovative score tracker found in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. Here you will find recommendations on where to go next and whose score to best. Much like Criterion's racer, SSX benefits greatly from having this quickly updated information at your fingertips. You'll never be at a loss for something to do when competing against your friends.
But why simply take on your friends score when you can battle the entire world? The final SSX mode has you competing for in-game credits in a series of Global Events. Some of these events are for everybody, while others can only be seen by friends. There's a certain amount of time placed on these events, and once that time expires you will earn a certain amount of credits based entirely on your final placement.
Sadly, SSX doesn't offer a traditional real-time multiplayer mode. Perhaps it's because the levels are too complicated or because the developers simply ran out of time, but it would have been nice to see an eight-player race against friends. Currently you can see ghost images of your friends; however that's a sad substitute for a multiplayer mode with a real lobby system.
Beyond the lack of a real-time multiplayer component, most of my complaints are about the changes made in the past seven years. I'll start with the rewind function. It used to be that players could push the select/back button after a crash, quickly resetting the action and keeping them in the race. In this new game you are given a rewind feature, which reverses the last few seconds of the race. It won't take long to realize that this only rewinds you, giving everybody else on the field a big advantage. I found that rewinding took far too much time and made it nearly impossible to catch up. This is not an adequate replacement for the reset button.
I was also disappointed by some of the level designs. Don't get me wrong, for the most part the game's various drops are perfectly playable and a lot of fun. However, I missed some of the over-the-top diversity we saw in SSX3. Where are the fireworks? Why are there no stages set in an avalanche-covered city? These are staples of the SSX experience, yet they are nowhere to be seen in this reboot.
On the other hand, there are a lot of changes I like to the gameplay. I am especially happy that the characters right themselves after a trick, sparing the players from needlessly crashing after every jump. I also love how smoothly everything flows. The graphics are also strong, even if they aren't as flashy as past games. SSX has it all -- great presentation, an engaging trick system and enough events to keep you going for well over a hundred hours.
There are things I would change about this new SSX. But when a game is this much fun to play, it's easy to overlook some of the disappointments. Regardless of whether you're a longtime fan of the series or dropping in for the first time, there is plenty to love about Electronic Arts' newest extreme sports game. It's great to have SSX back!
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New Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett is working with a commission handpicked to oversee the proposed plan for the closing of some CPS schools.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports the commission is leaning towards only closing 20 schools in any one year.
A source said the revised plan will give parents more time to prepare instead of scrambling to find alternatives.
Mayor Emanuel and Byrd-Bennett have 193 schools on their potential list of closures. These include schools that might not be utilizing resources as well as others.
They have until March 2013 to make a final announcement on which CPS schools will be closing.
35 Skyline DriveLake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: (407) 644-3535News Tips: (866) 55-FOX35

subset: commoncrawl


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ThinLinc is a fast and versatile remote desktop solution. It is based on open source software such as TigerVNC, SSH, and PulseAudio. The ThinLinc server software can be used to publish Linux/Unix desktops and applications to thin clients. The system also supports Windows Remote Desktop Services and VirtualBox. ThinLinc supports redirection of sound, serial ports, disk drives, local printers, and Smart Card readers. Clients are available for a wide variety of platforms. When used with the VirtualGL software, ThinLinc can deliver high performance graphics with OpenGL applications in a thin client environment.
Project shyknight is a classic-style platforms game like Manic Miner and some others from early 80s. It has very nice and polished, colorful retro graphics, and simple but addictive gameplay. Eric is in love with a greedy girl named Martina. He must collect all the items she wants to make her happy.
Pioneer is a space adventure game set in the Milky Way galaxy at the turn of the 31st century. The game is open-ended, and you are free to explore the millions of star systems in the game. You can land on planets, slingshot past gas giants, and burn yourself to a crisp flying between binary star systems. Pioneer has a sneaking resemblance to Frontier: Elite 2.
Arx Libertatis is a cross-platform, open source port of Arx Fatalis, a 2002 first-person role-playing game developed by Arkane Studios. Arx Fatalis features crafting, melee and ranged combat, and a unique casting system where the player draws runes in real time to effect the desired spell. The Arx Libertatis source code is based on the publicly released Arx Fatalis sources. This does however not include the game data, so you need to obtain a copy of the original Arx Fatalis or its demo.
Dandelion is a 3D graph rendering application which can be controlled across a network. Its main purpose is to allow clear network graphs to be rendered in a window, which can be controlled by a separate application or the user. The Dandelion visualization is actually controlled by issuing simple commands to it across the network (although this could all be happening on a single machine). The Dandelion source includes a set of very simple libraries which can be incorporated into other applications and which can be used to send these commands. Libraries are included for C, C#, Java, and Python. The project was developed at Liverpool John Moores University within the PROTECT Centre.
The Ecere SDK is a cross-platform toolkit for building software applications. It currently runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X (through X11), FreeBSD, and the Android OS. It should run on other Unix platforms with minor testing/tweaking. With the Ecere SDK, you can develop applications once and deploy them on all supported platforms alongside a lightweight runtime environment. It introduces eC, an object oriented language derived from and fully compatible with C, compromising neither runtime performance nor ease of use. A built-in 3D engine supporting both Direct3D and OpenGL is fully integrated.


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JD/MA International Studies: Lauder Institute, Wharton & the School of Arts & Sciences
About the Lauder Institute
The Lauder Institute offers JD students the opportunity to earn an MA in International Studies from Penn's School of Arts and Sciences and gain the language, business, and cultural skills to assume positions of leadership in international law, business, and policy making in the public, private, and civil society sectors. Website for Lauder's JD/MA Program
Language and Cultural Study
The Lauder program is designed for students who already have advanced second-language skills and emphasizes cross-cultural training through one of nine language programs:
A tenth offering, the Global Program, emphasizes global leadership and management skills for multiple cultural contexts, and is intended for students who already have strong language proficiency in two or more languages in addition to English.
JD/MA students join the Lauder Institute at the conclusion of their first year of Law School, with a month of Lauder coursework in May. These classes are followed by a two-month overseas summer immersion program that focuses on language and cultural study and provides opportunities for corporate visits to companies, government offices, nonprofits, and/or international organizations. All other coursework, including a required research paper/project, is completed during the remaining two years of Law School. Details on Lauder Curriculum
Students apply separately to Penn Law and Lauder. Please visit the admissions website for application specifics. Any questions may be directed to Meghan Ellis, Lauder Associate Director for Admissions, at email@example.com or +1 (215) 898-6560.
Lauder hosts an annual information session for 1L students in early October at Penn Law.
Students apply for financial aid from the Law School. Students interested in being considered for Lauder Institute fellowships will be invited to complete a fellowship application after being accepted at Lauder.
|First year
|First Year Summer
|Second year
Third year
Fourth year (if necessary)
|Course Work
|Lauder Immersion program (May - July)
|2L & Lauder courses & Lauder Team Research Project/Paper
|3L & Lauder courses & Lauder Team Research Project/Paper


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Scholarship Awards
Administration & Finance Division scholarships are awarded once a year. These scholarships are intended to help Division employees and Division student employees with educational expenses.
Applications for Fall 2014 Semester Scholarships will be accepted beginning January 6, 2014. The submittal deadline has been extended to April 28, 2014. Scholarships are awarded at the beginning of the Fall Semester to enrolled students via their MySJSU account.
Application Instructions
Administration & Finance Division Employee and Student Employee Scholarship Awards (PDF)
Note: Documents in PDF format require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing.
Employee Scholarship Award $750.00
Employee Qualifications:
- work a minimum of 30 hours per week (year round) in the A & F Division
- be a permanent employee
- be enrolled at SJSU
- may not receive the A & F Division Scholarship for two consecutive years
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Student Employee Scholarship $500.00
Student Employee Qualifications:
- be currently employed by a department in the A & F Division
- have worked in the A & F Division for at least the previous two semesters
- be enrolled at SJSU
- may not receive the A & F Division Scholarship for two consecutive years
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0


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National / International News:
NOGALES, Ariz. (CNS) -- With the backdrop a few feet away of the rusted iron slats of the 30-foot wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley and a dozen other bishops from three countries prayed April 1 for compassion and for a return to ideals that welcome immigrants.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next year will be open to families and people of different faiths, including no faith at all, to engage the wider society in dialogue and to serve and strengthen all families, organizers said. The gathering Sept. 22-27, 2015, "is meant to be a gift not just for Catholics in Philadelphia, but for every person of good will in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the surrounding regions and the wider world," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis warned government officials against abandoning the path of God's love and liberating salvation for the dead-end road of self-righteous corruption.


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BOOK & RECORD SALE "BUCKS" (Advanced credit for the sale...)
Saturday Jan 19 3:00PM
Add to Calendar
Cuban Club
Advance credit is no longer available, but thanks to all of you who bought some!!
Each dollar you spent is a donation to WMNF & buying in advance means youâll only stand in one line to check out (provided you keep your loot under or to the penny of your advanced purchase - no refunds will be given)... Just get tallied up & pass them your self-printed receipt!
Current donor admission is FREE this year & itâs only $3 for non-members (ONLY SOLD AT THE DOOR)... buying advanced credit (B&R BUCKS) is also your free ticket for entry! *Members get in at 9:30am, General Public entry is at 10amâ¦*
The annual Book, Record, CD, Instrument and Audio Equipment sale is to be held January 19th, 2013 in Ybor City, in the basement of the Cuban Club.
NOTE: The advance purchased credit is only available in increments of $5 (we have to call them TICKETS, but you understand, right?) ~ Buy as many as you want at once (on one order), or split up purchases for your friends or family. You can buy multiple gifts, but be sure to buy separately & print them out, to give away.
Also, THERE WILL BE NO CREDIT ISSUED FOR UNUSED AMOUNTS. This is a tax deductible donation to WMNF Community Radio.


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Rainier Two Burner Stove with GriddleItem #: MS2GR
List Price: $138.00
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Starting your day in the outdoors is enriching, especially when you have a Rainier Two Burner Stove with Griddle in camp. With the stove burner and a non-stick griddle, you'll be able to fix any meal from sunrise to sunset without packing extra... Learn More
Camp Chef Ranger II Blind StoveItem #: BS40C
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There will come a time when your need for portability will match your need for cooking power. In the past this choice has forced you to choose between the two. With the Ranger outdoor stoves those days are long gone. Now you can have portability a... Learn More
Camp Chef Pro 60 Double Burner StoveItem #: DB60D
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Consumers Digest Best Buy!! The Camp Chef Pro 60 double burner cooker (model DB-60D) is not your average camp stove. This Modular Cooking System empowers any avid cook with the necessary tools to easily prepare gourmet meals at camp, on the patio or... Learn More
Camp Chef Weekender 2 Burner Tabletop StoveItem #: DJ60LW
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This stove is perfect for anyone that wants to cook outdoors where they like. You can set it on the table or use the legs when you need more space. With two 20,000 BTU burners this compact but powerful stove is able to boil water or cook pancakes. &n... Learn More
Camp Chef Explorer Deluxe Double Burner Propane StoveItem #: EX60LWC
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Rely on the rugged Explorer Deluxe to provide you with the cooking power you need. Featuring a double-sided, cast iron grill/griddle combo and two 30,000 BTU aluminum burners, you can cook perfect pancake breakfasts or flip it over for grilled steaks... Learn More
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Camp Chef Rainier Campers Combo - Stove/Grill/GriddleItem #: MS2GG
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The Rainier Campers Combo is the perfect solution to just about every cooking challenge. The Camper Combo comes with both a griddle and a grill. Combine that with a 10,000 BTU burner and your cooking possibilities are endless. Whe... Learn More
Expedition 3X Triple Burner Stove w/griddleItem #: TB90LWG
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Camp Chef's Expedition 3X now comes standard with easy-to-use Matchless Ignition system. The Expedition includes three large burners for a combined output of 90,000 BTU' which makes it one of the most powerful portable stoves currently available. To ... Learn More
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Camp Chef Yukon Double Burner StoveItem #: YK60LW
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The Yukon packs more than enough power to cook for the hungriest crowd. An awesome propane stove, the Yukon sports a 448-square inch cooking surface and two 30.000 BTU burners. This stove makes cooking food for groups both large and small a breeze. ... Learn More
Camp Chef Outdoorsman High Pressure Double Burner StoveItem #: EX280LW
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Need some cooking power? Maybe you have a big event coming up and need to cook for a multitude. The Camp Chef Outdoorsman High Pressure Double Burner Stove is the answer. With over 120,00 BTU/Hr of cooking power, there's no job too ... Learn More
Camp Chef Outdoorsman High Low Combo Double Burner StoveItem #: EX170LW
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This beefed up Outdoorsman stove will make all your large capacity cooking a breeze. Whether it is a seafood boil or a spaghetti dinner for a crowd, you have found the stove you need. This rugged stove is built with wide range of cooking in mind, wi... Learn More


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The Noteworthy Runway Looks From Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, & More!
While some editors were already making their way to London for part two of Fashion Month, New York was gearing up for its final day of shows. And with designer heavyweights Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Marc Jacobs in the mix, one could argue they saved the best for last. But we'll let you be the judge of that.


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Do you have an eReader? Did you know that you can check out electronic editions of library books for free? Learn how to enjoy San Francisco Public Library's collection of more than 40,000 ebooks at this workshop. Bring your Kindle, Nook, iPad or other eReader device with you and we will show you how to use it to download books and other materials from the Library website.
Learn more about our eBook resources with these simple tutorials.
Upcoming Events
- Drop in computer help!
- Wednesday, April 16, 2014Golden Gate Valley, Golden Gate General Floor Area
- Reference Drop-In
- Wednesday, April 16, 2014Potrero, Potrero General Floor Area
- Reference Drop-In
- Wednesday, April 23, 2014Potrero, Potrero General Floor Area
Upcoming Classes
- Internet and Catalog in Russian
- Wednesday, April 16, 2014Main Library, Computer Training Ctr.
- Basic Computer Classes for Seniors: The Internet
- Wednesday, April 16, 2014Ocean View, Ocean View Computer Lab
- Adults & Seniors Chinese Computer Classes
- Wednesday, April 16, 2014Sunset, Sunset Children's Area


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Brookster Muffin Pan
- Exclusive
- Summary
This all-in-one pan turns out the legendary treats we call "Brooksters," traditional chocolate-chip cookies nestled in rich, gooey brownies. And you thought those irresistible classics couldn't get any better!
- Six-well pan turns out 3" round treats.
- Start by partly filling each well of the pan with chilled brownie batter, then top the deep, dark batter with a dollop of cookie dough.
- As the batter and dough bake, they create fabulously decadent treats to enjoy on their own or crowned with a generous scoop of ice cream.
- Professional-quality carbon-steel pan distributes heat evenly and will not corrode or rust.
- Premium nonstick coating releases treats effortlessly and cleans up in a snap.
- Recipe included.
- A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 15-3/4" x 11".
- Made in China.
- Use & Care
- Oven safe to 450°F.
- Before first use, hand-wash the pans in warm water with mild dishwashing soap. Abrasive cleaners will damage the pan's finish.
- Use wood, nylon or plastic tools—never use metal tools.
- Although this nonstick finish was developed to resist cutting, it is not recommended.
- Prepare the pans according to the individual recipes, greasing and flouring if specified.
- Due to this bakeware's heat efficiency, we suggest monitoring the oven temperature and baking time for the first few uses, then making adjustments to recipes as necessary.
- Hand-wash.
- Do not use abrasive cleaners such as metal scouring pads, as they can damage the surface.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
This item is shipped from our warehouse by UPS to arrive within five business days of our receiving your order.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Rush Delivery
For an additional charge of $15 per address, we can rush delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Return Policy
At Williams-Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. If, within 30 days, you are not completely satisfied with your purchase for any reason, please return the item for an exchange or refund of the merchandise value. View Full Return Policy.


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The 2014 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony took place in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center. A truncated version of the evening's events will air on HBO on May 31st at 9 p.m. The inductees to the Rock Hall class of 2014 were Kiss, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall & John Oates.
Ahmet Ertegun Awards went to the Beatles' late manager Brian Epstein and original Rolling Stones manager/producer Andrew Loog Oldham. The Award for Musical Excellence -- formerly known as the Side-Men category -- was presented to the E Street Band, who were inducted by Bruce Springsteen.
Glenn Frey -- who got his major break as apart of Linda Ronstadt's backing band -- saluted her at the ceremony. Ronstadt did not attend the event, but a show-stopping tribute of her best-loved songs was performed by Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt. Questlove of the Roots saluted Hall & Oates. Surprise inductor Art Garfunkel paid tribute to Cat Stevens, and Peter Asher, of Peter & Gordon and record production fame, did the honors for his friends, Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham -- who also was a no show at last night's event.
Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, inducted Kiss, who surprisingly were all on their best behavior and spoke respectfully -- and at times even lovingly -- towards each other as they recalled their early years. The evening's closest thing to a celebrity roast was Coldplay's Chris Martin's induction of Peter Gabriel. R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe inducted Nirvana -- who closed the celebrations by reforming with three women fronting the band -- Joan Jett, St. Vincent, and Lorde, respectively.
In one of the most candid moments of the induction, Bruce Springsteen recalled a conversation he had at his home with Steve Van Zandt, who had urged Springsteen to force the Rock Hall's hand and induct the E Street Band along with him in 1999. Springsteen talked frankly about the reasons and situations as too why he elected to go in as a solo act. Backstage, Steve Van Zandt was asked his feelings pertaining to that: ["Y'know, we were having many conversations about, y'know, the reunion, and all that. And Bruce had tried some things with other players -- as he absolutely has a right to do -- and who can blame him, him trying different things with different people.
Tom Morello was asked about what he made of Kiss' inner-band issues going into the Rock Hall: ["Well, the way I look at it is; every garage band and every stadium band has beef. There's nothing special about that. Tonight is about what is special and that's the awesome band that Kiss is and was, and the four original members and how they rocked my world, how they've rocked the planet since. So that other stuff doesn't matter to me.
Although Kiss came backstage for photo ops, Ace Frehley was the only member to come back and talk to the press: ["Well, most of my influences are older than me. I'm one of the older inductees (laughs), y'know? I grew up with the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. Y'know, those were the guys that influenced me. I influenced a lot of those guys that are getting inducted — guys like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and everybody else. But I'm so happy to be here, y'know, it's been 15 years (since the first) could've inducted us, y'know? But 15 years later they did. I'm just thrilled to be here and I'm in good company."
Glenn Frey touched upon how the Eagles learned their craft while serving as Linda Ronstadt's backing band: ["Obviously the first thing we all noticed was what a great singer she was. And for Don (Henley) and I, to be the two harmony singers to be singing with all these incredible songs that she loved, y'know, was just the step in the right direction for us. We both loved harmony singing, and to be able to do it with Linda was a treat."
Peter Gabriel said that he's always been in the right place at the right time to help further his craft: ["I just think I'm very fortunate because I've worked with extraordinarily people, great musicians. For me, it's not about rock n' roll or any label. I think it was (Count) Basie who said 'There's only two kinds of music -- good and bad.' And that's what I subscribe to."
Daryl Hall -- who has been openly critical of Hall & Oates being passed over for the past 16 years -- was asked about how he felt to finally be inducted: ["Y'know what I think? I think it's all about the past and we're about the present, if you want to know the truth. I got so much going on personally — and I know John does, too. I actually had to take time off to do this, 'cause I got so many other projects going on. I mean, that's not blowing smoke, it's really true. I got two television shows (laughs), touring (growls) -- on and on and on."
Michael Stipe was asked about the first time he met Kurt Cobain: ["It was in Chris' basement in Seattle. He and Courtney had moved into the house next door to my former guitar player Peter Buck. And they lived side by side. They were late to a little party at Chris' house. The first time I looked into his eyes, I went -- I, I, I get it. He is all that. He is a very special person."
"Digging In The Dirt" - Peter Gabriel
"Washing Of The Water" - Peter Gabriel and Chris Martin
"In Your Eyes" - Peter Gabriel with Youssou n'Dour
"Father And Son" - Cat Stevens
"Wild World" - Cat Stevens
"Peace Train" - Cat Stevens
"Different Drum" - Carrie Underwood
"Blue Bayou"- Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt with Carrie Underwood
"You're No Good" - Sheryl Crow with Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt and Carrie Underwood
"It's So Easy" - Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood
"When Will I Be Loved" - Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood
"The E Street Shuffle" - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
"The River " - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
"Kitty's Back" - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
"She's Gone" - Hall & Oates
"I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" - Hall & Oates
"You Make My Dreams Come True" - Hall & Oates
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana with Joan Jett
"Aneurysm" - Nirvana with Kim Gordon
"Lithium" - Nirvana with St. Vincent
"All Apologies" - Nirvana with Lorde
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was created in 1983. Artists become eligible to enter the Hall 25 years after the release of their debut single.
The official Rock Hall and Museum opened on September 2nd, 1995 in a building designed by I. M. Pei. The city of Cleveland was chosen after successfully lobbying that "rock and roll" had started with Alan Freed, a Cleveland native who first took to the airwaves in the city.
The inductees to the Rock Hall class of 2013 were Rush, Heart, Donna Summer, blues legend Albert King, Randy Newman, and rappers Public Enemy. The prestigious Ahmet Ertegun Lifetime Achievement Award was given to record mogul Lou Adler and Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr.
The first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony took place on January 23rd, 1986 in Cleveland, Ohio. The inaugural class of the Hall of Fame featured rock's forefathers -- Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sam Cooke, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Included in the Non-Performer category were Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, and seminal disc jockey Alan Freed.
Also inducted that night in the Early Influence category were blues icon Robert Johnson, country's Jimmie Rogers, and boogie-woogie pianist Jimmy Yancey. Columbia Records' A&R man John Hammond -- who was responsible for discovering Billie Holliday, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, among others -- received the Hall's first Lifetime Achievement Award.
The emotional inductions included Keith Richards' speech inducting Chuck Berry, and John Lennon's sons Julian and Sean Lennon inducting their father's hero, Elvis Presley.
CHECK IT OUT: All the Rock Hall inductees over the years: http://bit.ly/1kw9QH2
CHECK IT OUT: Scenes from last night's induction ceramonies:
An album featuring guitarists Malcolm and Angus Young before they went on to form the legendary AC/DC is being reissued, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. The disc by the Marcus Hook Roll Band, called Tales Of Old Grand-Daddy, will surface on June 2nd on CD, vinyl and digital download.
The band was the brainchild of the Youngs' older brother George, who had been a member of the Easybeats and scored a U.S. hit with that act's "Friday On My Mind." After the Easybeats broke up in 1969, George and his musical partner Harry Vanda started the Roll Band in 1972, releasing three singles and recording a full-length album in 1973. It was for this album that George recruited his younger brothers.
The album marks the first time Malcolm and Angus worked in a recording studio.
George told Classic Rock magazine, "It was the first thing Malcolm and Angus did before AC/DC. We didn't take it very seriously so we thought we'd include them to give them an idea of what recording was all about."
George added that he didn't remember much about the sessions because almost everyone was getting drunk. He explained, "We all got rotten -- except Angus, who was too young -- and we spent a month in the studio boozing it up every night."
The Marcus Hook Roll Band did not last long and never played live, while Angus and Malcolm started AC/DC in November 1973.
AC/DC is reportedly gearing up to record its first new album since 2008's Black Ice and play select shows this year to celebrate the band's 40th anniversary.
CHECK IT OUT: See the album cover and track listing, as well as a photo of the Youngs in the studio, at http://bit.ly/1gfyHvO
Listen to "Red Revolution" from the Marcus Hook Roll Band:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the inductees for the 2014 class. The six artists selected for the Performer Category are: Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, and Cat Stevens.
Ahmet Ertegun Awards will go to the Beatles' late manager Brian Epstein and original Rolling Stones manager/producer Andrew Loog Oldham. The Award for Musical Excellence -- formally known as the Side-Men category -- will be presented to the E Street Band.
The 29th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 10th, 2014 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The 2014 Ceremony will again be open to the public, as it has been for the Induction Ceremonies in Cleveland in 2009 and 2012, and Los Angeles in 2013. This will be the first time that the ceremony will be open to the public in New York City.
Tickets will go on sale to the public in January. A pre-sale for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members will take place in advance of the public on-sale date. To be eligible for the member pre-sale, you must be an active Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum member by December 31, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST. Exact sale dates will be announced in January. Details at www.rockhall.com.
The 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Performer Inductees were chosen by more than 700 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording.
For this year's Inductions, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame again offered fans the opportunity to officially participate in the selection process. The public was able to cast votes online for who they believe to be most deserving of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The top five artists, as selected by the public, comprised a "fans' ballot" that was tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2014 Inductees. Three of the top five artists from the fan ballot will be inducted in 2014.
Boston, The Monkees, Joe Cocker, Yes, Sonny & Cher, Ringo Starr, Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, Gram Parsons, Grand Funk Railroad, Chicago, ELO, Journey, the Zombies, Frankie Avalon, Squeeze, Pat Benatar, Todd Rundgren, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Badfinger, Big Star, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Sting, Humble Pie, Eddie Money, T.Rex, Beatles recording engineers Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick, Styx, Free, Who engineer and producer Glyn Johns, Billy Idol, Rockpile, The Runaways, rock photographers Jim Marshall, Ethan Russell, Gered Mankowitz, Dezo Hoffman, Astrid Kirchherr, Annie Leibovitz, Henry Diltz, and Bob Gruen; Chubby Checker, The Guess Who, rock journalist Lester Bangs, The Turtles, Def Leppard, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, The Scorpions, Rolling Stones pianist Ian Stewart, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Kansas, Thin Lizzy, Joe Walsh, Delaney & Bonnie, Roxy Music, The Dictators, Brian Eno, Meat Loaf, America, XTC, The Searchers, Leslie Gore, The Raspberries, Paul Revere & The Raiders, MC5, Herman's Hermits, The Moody Blues, Mountain, Blue Oyster Cult, Chic, The New York Dolls, The Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, Jethro Tull, Foreigner, Bad Company, and many more.
Former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley took time out to counter some of Gene Simmons' recent remarks against him and Peter Criss. Blabbermouth reported that during an appearance on New York City's Q104.3, Frehley touched upon Kiss' probable entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year, and Simmons' recent inference that Frehley and Criss would not be performing with Kiss if they get the nod. Frehley said: "I'm happy that I'm gonna be inducted -- most likely -- next year, in April, in New York City, and it should be be a great event. There's no way Gene can put a lid on it. I mean, what's he gonna do?"
Frehley, who's clearly stung by Simmons seemingly constant attacks on his "blown opportunities" with Kiss and his substance abuse problems went on to take a few knocks of his won against the Kiss bassist, saying, "Gene's living in the past. He's become a caricature of himself. I mean, from the very beginning, his only motivation was money. The guy has no friends; he's not respected by his peers; he's pissed off thousands of fans; he's never had a hit single, like I've had. I had the most successful Gibson signature-series guitar in history. He didn't. It goes on and on. He took the safe route: he never got loaded, he never partied. I took the same route Elvis Presley took and (Jimi) Hendrix and Keith Richards and Jim Morrison. . . it's endless. I have all this life experience and thank God I can live to talk about it. What's he gonna talk about? All he can do is badmouth other people."
Guitar aficionados are in for a real treat with the new deluxe book, 108 Rock Star Guitars. The 396-page art book by photographer and author Lisa S. Johnson features incredibly high quality and artistic shots of some of rock's most legendary axes, revealing, "the intimate details, the wear and tear, nicks, scratches, sweat stains, burn marks and personal adornments" that most fans have never been close enough to spot.
Late, great guitar pioneer Les Paul provided the book's Forword and Johnson offers up first hand details of her quest in shooting each guitar for the book -- which features instruments by such notables as Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Bruce Springsteen, Rick Nielsen, Slash, Robby Krieger, Ace Frehley, Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Jack White, Zakk Wylde, Billy Gibbons, Tom Morello, Joe Walsh, and many more.
As rumored earlier this week, Metallica will play a concert in Antarctica next month, according to Blabbermouth. The one-of-a-kind show is being sponsored by Coca-Cola Zero and fans from several Latin and South American countries will get a chance to enter a contest and win the opportunity to join the band on the expedition.
Metallica stated, "After over 30 years as a band, we have been unbelievably fortunate to visit just about every corner of the earth . . . except for one. That is all about to change as we are set travel to Antarctica, the only continent that Metallica has never played on until now!! We are partnering with Coca-Cola Zero for one of the most unique and special concert events in our career as we'll be performing near the heliport of the Argentine Antarctic Base Carlini on Sunday, December 8, 2013."
Fans from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico will be able to enter the contest, starting on October 28th and ending on November 22nd.
The winners will leave on December 3rd in a cruise from the port of Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego, on a 10-day journey to Antarctica.
While on their trip, the winners will get to view the landscapes of the continent. participate in lectures to be provided by specialists, see audio-visual material on the work of the scientists and receive environmental information.
The concert will take place under a dome at the Carlini Argentine Base will be heard by the fans through headphones, with no other amplifiers or sound system. The gig will also be live-streamed in the participating countries.
It was 36 years ago Sunday (October 20th, 1977), that a plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed in a swamp near Gillsburg, Mississippi. At the time, the group was en route to its next show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The crash took the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant; guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines; Lynyrd Skynyrd manager Dean Kilpatrick, as well as the plane's two pilots.
All the other members of the band suffered horrific injuries, from which they eventually recovered. Two years later, survivors Gary Rossington and Allen Collins (guitars), Billy Powell (keyboards) and Leon Wilkeson (bass) formed a new group, the Rossington-Collins Band. A decade after the plane crash, the surviving members of Skynyrd regrouped under the legendary name and played a series of dates to mark the anniversary with Johnnie Van Zant, the younger brother of Ronnie Van Zant, stepping in as his permanent replacement.
Today (October 9th) marks what would have been John Lennon's 73rd birthday. By nightfall tonight, hundreds of fans will have made the pilgrimage to Central Park's Strawberry Fields in New York City for a day of remembrance, sing-alongs, and celebrations dedicated to the memory of Lennon. Strawberry Fields, a triangular patch of land dedicated to Lennon by the city of New York and named after the Beatles' 1967 hit, sits directly across the street from the Dakota, Lennon's Manhattan apartment building, where he was gunned down on December 8th, 1980 at the age 40. Today is also Lennon and Yoko Ono's son Sean Lennon's 38th birthday.
Fans were shocked earlier this week when Lennon's star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame was defaced by vandals. Volunteer fan crews have been working overtime to get the star ready for today's celebrations. The star, which is adjacent to the Beatle's record label headquarters in Los Angeles, is the primary spot for fans to gather both on Lennon's birthday and the day of his death.
Last month we reported that Lennon's only full-rehearsed concert from 1972 is getting a drastic overhaul. Producer Jack Douglas, best known for his work with Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, and Lennon's final 1980 songs on Double Fantasy and Milk And Honey, revealed to us in an exclusive interview that plans are in the early stages to restore the show for an upcoming release. On August 30th, 1972, Lennon and Yoko Ono were backed by Elephants Memory for two full concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden. The performances, known as the One To One concerts, included an afternoon matinee and an evening performance, benefited the Willowbrook House, with the proceeds from the shows going to help establish new accommodations for the mentally handicapped inhabitants of the former Willowbrook institution in Long Island, New York.
Douglas, who was behind the boards for the 2010 Double Fantasy Stripped Down collection, says that unlike the 1986 LP and VHS versions of the '72 show -- called, Live In New York City -- he plans to include material from both the afternoon and evening charity concerts. No release date has been set.
Lennon's full birth name was John Winston Lennon. In April 1969, he legally changed his middle name to "Ono."
Although Lennon is often said to be an only child, he in fact has five half-siblings. Julia and Jacqui Dykins are on his mother Julia's side, as well as another sister, Victoria, who was adopted at birth.
In the mid '70s, Lennon's father Freddie fathered two sons, named David and Robin Lennon.
Lennon's mother Julia taught John his first song on the guitar, Fats Domino's "Ain't That A Shame."
Lennon and Paul McCartney made a handshake deal in late 1957, agreeing that all compositions written by either one of them -- solo or in collaboration with each other -- would be credited to "Lennon-McCartney."
The Beatles performed Lennon's first original composition, titled "Hello Little Girl," at their unsuccessful Decca Records audition on January 1st, 1962.
After the Beatles' breakup, both Lennon and McCartney gave separate interviews detailing who wrote what within the duo's partnership. They two agreed on everything except two songs -- Lennon claimed that he wrote the majority of the lyrics to McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby" and McCartney claimed that he wrote the melody to Lennon's "In My Life."
Although uncredited, Lennon helped write the lyrics to George Harrison's song "Taxman" from the Beatles' Revolver album and "Piggies" from "The White Album."
Lennon's lucky number was nine. The number popped up in several of his songs, including "One After 909," "Revolution #9," and "#9 Dream."
Although primarily a rhythm guitarist, Lennon played bass on several McCartney-written Beatles classics, including "Back In The U.S.S.R.," "Helter Skelter," "Let It Be," and "The Long And Winding Road."
Lennon played keyboards on "I'm Down," "Tell Me What You See," "The Night Before," "We Can Work It Out," "Penny Lane," "The Being For the Benefit Of Mr. Kite," "All You Need Is Love," "Hello Goodbye," "I Am The Walrus," "Hey Bulldog," "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Because," and others.
Lennon also played lead guitar on a number of Beatles tracks too, including "Get Back," "You Can't Do That," "Honey Pie," "Yer Blues," "For You Blue," "The Ballad Of John And Yoko," and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)."
Lennon published two books of short stories and prose during the height of Beatlemania -- 1964's In His Own Write and 1965's A Spaniard In The Works. In 1986 a novel written in the late-'70s, titled Skywriting By Word Of Mouth, was published posthumously.
Prior to returning to Yoko after their infamous 14-month separation in the early 1970s, Lennon was planning to travel to New Orleans to record with McCartney, who was then working on Wings' Venus And Mars album.
Lennon and McCartney last saw each other on April 24th, 1976, when they watched Saturday Night Live as producer Lorne Michaels offered the Beatles a whopping $3,000 to reunite on the show. They briefly considered heading to Rockefeller Center where the show was being performed, as a gag. The two last spoke on the phone in early 1980.
Before deciding to take a five-year sabbatical from recording, Lennon was composing material for a 1976 album, tentatively titled Between The Lines.
In the years prior to his death in New York, Lennon usually woke up around dawn each day, and by mid-morning would walk over to the since-closed upscale neighborhood coffee house Cafe LaFortuna and read The New York Times, The London Times, and several other international newspapers to get a global view of daily current events.
Lennon was also known to occasionally go out for drinks at his local watering hole, Malachy's Donegal Inn, only a block away from the Dakota.
At the time of his death, John and Yoko were rumored to be planning a world tour, to tentatively start in the spring of 1981 with a free show in New York's Central Park, and eventually culminating with a concert in the Beatles' hometown of Liverpool.
In the weeks prior to his death, Lennon was working on two new songs, called "You Saved My Soul (With Your True Love)" and "Dear John." An edited version of "Dear John" appears on the 1998 John Lennon Anthology.
Following years of bad blood, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have opted out of appearing in what's being billed as the definitive Kiss documentary, You Wanted The Best You Got The Best. Classic Rock magazine spoke to director Alan G. Parker, who's behind the officially sanctioned film, and he shed light on why the two co-founders are staying away from anything having to do with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, explaining, "Gene and Paul were shocked at first, but now they don't seem to be. There's been so much bitchiness down the years, and so much said about and done to Ace and Peter that they interpreted the request to be in the movie as a favor to Gene and Paul. Because of that they won't go anywhere near it. The negotiations were interesting to say the least."
In the end Parker will use footage shot of Frehley and Criss by band archivist -- and current lead guitarist -- Tommy Thayer back in 2001. In addition to Thayer and current drummer Eric Singer, Parker has filmed interviews with former guitarist Bruce Kulick and his brother Bob Kulick -- who performed on many of the band's studio tracks. Parker also held, "positive meetings" with the family of Eric Carr, the band's late drummer, who replaced Peter Criss in 1980 and died of heart cancer in 1991.
With a few more interviews still to undertake, Parker "hopes to show the finished film to the band in February or March, followed by a spot at the Cannes Film Festival in May and a worldwide opening in the autumn of 2014."
Former Kiss filmmaker Tommy Thayer now "portrays" Frehley's character in Kiss' live show. Unlike Frehley's original replacement Vinnie Vincent -- who was given his own unique persona -- fans have had mixed reactions to Thayer duping some fans into thinking Frehley is still playing with the band. Thayer looks at it from a theatrical, rather than a historical perspective: "You've had different guitarists in and out of the band, and different members -- at this point, if you start introducing new characters and new makeup designs and things, that I think that it really dilutes the whole core and, y'know, the original foundation of what Kiss is. And those four original characters are certainly the whole basis of it. To change that and come up with a new design or character, it just convolutes things."
Ace Frehley left Kiss after the band's 2002 Farewell dates, saying afterwards that he took the word "farewell" seriously.
Peter Criss claimed that his contract with Kiss wasn't renewed in March 2004.
Both charges have been disputed by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.
INTERNET COMMENTS at ClassicRockMagazine.com and UltimateClassicRock.com -- agree or not?
Chuck Thim wrote: "While I agree that Frehley & Criss have shot themselves in the foot numerous times because of their dependecies & most of the time have only themselves to blame, Gene & Paul, (mostly Gene), could've shown more class over the years. The bashing should've ended years ago. A compliment every now & then wouldn't kill him. I can't say I blame Ace & Peter for not participating. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if they're not just holding out for money. I'm sure they didn't make as much as Gene & Paul through the reunion years. Not sure if it was true, but I had read that Ace owed a lot in back taxes on his Conneticut mansion. Neither he nor Criss have ever been wise with their money. wasn't music a lot more fun before we realized it was a business?"
Brayton Wright wrote: "This film is being paid for by Universal - not Gene/Paul or KISS Co. Alan Parker is the one behind it and his resume is impressive for these documentaries. He has no incentive to lean it to Gene/Paul's favour when it's not them footing the bill. He wouldn't make a biased documentary now if he hasn't before. It'd be detrimental to his reputation as a filmmaker. Ace/Peter passed up on this - the largest platform for their side of the story, honestly. The fans lose on this because they're robbed of everyone's take. Ace/Peter want to have their side told? They just passed on it, and it's a shame."
warptek wrote: "Gene and Paul were shocked at Ace and Peter? Gee, could it be you both have bad mouthed them in the press for years and years, fired Peter, replaced the legendary Ace f****** Frehley with a tribute band replacement? Get real, pompous arrogant pr****. I wish whats left of this once great band would just quietly disappear."
Gary Fox wrote: "they were fired because they couldn't cut it musically or physically anymore"
CHECK IT OUT: Kiss in 1998 performing "I Was Made For Loving You" live at Dodger Stadium:
It was 43 years ago today (September 18th, 1970), that Jimi Hendrix died at the age of 27, about two months shy of his 28th birthday. Over 40 years later, the events surrounding his death remain sketchy at best, with the only clear fact being that the coroner report stated that Hendrix had asphyxiated in his own vomit, which mainly consisted of red wine. Monika Dannemann, his girlfriend at the time, has long contended that he was alive when placed in the ambulance.
Hendrix fans are in for a treat this fall with a new American Masters special airing on PBS. The two-hour documentary, Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin,' will be released on DVD on November 5th -- the day of its TV premiere -- along with the new concert CD culled from Hendrix's two concert appearances on May 18th, 1968 as part of the Miami Pop Festival. The two new releases cap off the year-long commemoration of what would've been Hendrix's 70th birthday. Back in March, the guitarist's latest vault release, People, Hell And Angels, debuted at Number Two on the Billboard 200 album charts.
Earlier this summer fans welcomed the latest Jimi Hendrix "official bootleg" sold through AuthenticHendrix.com. The collection, Live In Cologne, which has been bootlegged numerous times over the years, is more of a historical curio for die-hards than an audiophile's delight, having been recorded on January 13th, 1969 in Cologne, Germany by a fan using a single microphone in the audience. The set was released on 180-gram vinyl with a digital download as a web exclusive.
The tracklisting to the Jimi Hendrix Experience's Live In Cologne is: "Come On (Let The Good Times Roll)," "Foxey Lady," "Red House," "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Fire," "Spanish Castle Magic," "Hey Joe," "Sunshine Of Your Love," "Star Spangled Banner," and "Purple Haze."
Hendrix aide James "Tappy" Wright claimed in his recent memoir Rock Roadie that Hendrix's final manager Michael Jeffery confessed to killing the legendary guitarist a year after Hendrix's death in September 1970. According to Wright, Jeffery claimed that he plied a semi-conscious Hendrix with enough pills and alcohol to kill him so that he could collect insurance money and not risk Hendrix breaking their management agreement.
Wright, who also roadied for Elvis Presley and Tina Turner, among others, said that Jeffery said in his confession: "I had to do it, Tappy. You understand, don't you? I had to do it. You know damn well what I'm talking about. . . I was in London the night of Jimi's death and together with some old friends . . . we went round to Monika's (Dannemann's) hotel room, got a handful of pills and stuffed them into his mouth . . . then poured a few bottles of red wine deep into his windpipe. I had to do it. Jimi was worth much more to me dead than alive. That son of a bitch was going to leave me. If I lost him, I'd lose everything."
Jeffery, who died in 1971, had told Wright that he had taken out a $2 million policy out on Hendrix, which named him as the chief beneficiary.
The official cause of Hendrix's death was "barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of vomit."
The events surrounding Hendrix's death have always been shady, especially when it comes to how Hendrix was found and who exactly called for an emergency crew -- neither things which are ever out of the ordinary in an O.D. case.
Eddie Kramer, who was the engineer on the Jimi Hendrix Experience albums Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love, and Electric Ladyland, recalled his memories of Hendrix's death: ["We had just completed Electric Lady Studios, and we were halfway through a record which was going to be called The Cry Of Love. I spoke to Jimi a week before he died, and he was very positive, and was looking forward to coming back to America. His death was an unfortunate accident, there's no question about that."]
Journey guitarist Neal Schon first saw Hendrix play when he was only in his teens, and says that he was simply the greatest guitarist he ever saw perform: ["Y'know, if I had to pick one guy, I'd probably say Jimi Hendrix, just because he was so innovative in inventing the electric guitar, almost reinventing it."]
Janie Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix's step-sister and president and CEO of Experience Hendrix and Authentic Hendrix, told us that Hendrix was always good to his father Al and was about to buy the family a new house -- but one a bit different than the one he'd grown up in as a boy: ["He was gonna come stay with us, and he told my dad to go look for a house on Mercer Island, which here it's a little island that you can get to via bridge. It was where all the upper-class people lived, and he wanted him to go find a house in that area, and he was going to come stay with us."]
Stephen Stills spent hours jamming with Hendrix and recalled that Hendrix turned him on to restringing lefty guitars for righties for a better sound: ["Jimi showed me up close and personal, something about the positioning
Woodstock promoter Michael Lang recalls trying to talk Hendrix out of his closing spot at the legendary 1969 festival: ["I think they came in Sunday morning. I asked them if they wanted to go on earlier. And Michael (Jeffery, Hendrix's manager) said 'No, we definitely want to close the show.' I said 'Well, closing the show might not be good idea. It's running approximately 12 hours behind. Chances are you're going to be closing in the morning,' and they sort of insisted on it. Unfortunately, most of the audience was gone by the time Jimi played. But he played an unbelievable set."]
Chicago trombonist and co-founder James Pankow recalls the band touring with Hendrix being a life-changing experience: ["That was quite an experience. He was a god, if you will. He could snap his fingers and disappear into thin air, in a matter of speaking. He was psychedelic ladyland. Musically he was daring and innovative as anybody was -- if not more. I mean, an Africa-American who played guitar left-handed, a trio who had a bigger sound than big ensembles, and did music that was not only expressive, but was characteristic of the day."]
Band Of Gypsies bassist Billy Cox was asked what he thinks Hendrix would have accomplished had he not died in 1970: ["I get asked that question quite often, and we were gravitating toward more, like, The Rays Of The New Rising Sun. We were gravitating toward classical music, I think. We would've taken those modes into a classical vein. And then he had thought about perhaps maybe going to Juilliard, and there's no telling. (He) always talked about it."]
CHECK IT OUT: The Jimi Hendrix Experience on June 18th, 1967 live at the Monterey International Pop Festival performing "Hey Joe" and "The Wind Cries Mary":
Gene Simmons can't stop taking swings at Kiss co-founders Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. In the current issue of Rolling Stone, Simmons who carries on the Kiss banner 40 years later with Paul Stanley, talked about the group, while publicizing his and Stanley's joint memoir, Nothin' To Lose: The Making Of Kiss (1972-75).
As always, Simmons pulled no punches when talking about the disappointment he feels towards Criss and Frehley, but refused to take any of the blame the former drummer and guitarist -- along with millions of fans -- continue throw his way, declaring, "I am the bad guy. I won't stand for drunks and alcoholics who get up on stage and consider it their birthright. I consider it a privilege to get up there and arrive on time and be sober, and I'll be an a***hole to anybody who thinks otherwise. You know who else is an a***hole? Your teacher was an a**hole. Your parents are a**holes. Your drill sergeant was an a***hole. Because they wouldn't let you get away with s***. Ace and Peter have had a lifetime of being losers. And not just with drugs and alcohol. They're losers because of wrong decisions. You sleep in the bed you make. How many chances in life do you get? They were in and out of the band three different times. Why should they get another chance?"
Nothin' To Lose: The Making Of Kiss (1972-75), was co-written with Ken Sharp and draws on "more than 200 interviews, offering a captivating and intimate fly-on-the-wall account of their launch, charting the struggles and ultimate victories that led them to the threshold of super-stardom. Constructed as an oral history, the book includes original interviews with Paul, Gene, Ace, and Peter, as well as producers, engineers, management, roadies, costume and stage designers, fans, and musical contemporaries from the time."


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Baby Bjorn Toilet Seat Adaptor
" I had a chance to use this seat while on vacation. It is comfortable and my son had no issues transitioning from his usual potty to 'going' on this one. No complaints. There is a built in pee guard so no spraying to worry about. The handle makes it easy to take off and on as well as hang up when not in use. It is also easy to wipe clean and even give a quick was in the shower. " --tubbytelly
BABYBJÖRN Potty Chair, Blue
" This is a great potty - bought this for DD to use at home. We had the smaller all in 1 potties at the sitter's and in the car. This one worked well for home. Great non-skid base - helped DD to feel secure when sitting down herself. Nice high back...my DD likes to lounge and read books (Everyone Poops) while on the potty - so this gave good support. The rise in the front helps when DD lounging..." --kbvr
BABYBJÖRN Little Potty - White
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Hi there
I would appreciate it if any of you mackintish experts would spare a few minutes and advise me on the below build.
Background :
I'm a web designer and work mainly with PS and a load of other development programs (db, flash etc). I will probably be doing some bit of HD video editing in the future.
I have been working on a MBP for about 5 years now and it has served me very very well but its slowing down so i need to build a powerful work station. I have only just come across the concept of a hackintosh and love the idea of building myself, having something exremely poserful and saving cash.
What i need :
> A computer that will allow me to have as many programs open as possible (20 browser windows if need be, PS, DB app, skype etc etc etc ) with it still being lightening fast
> A computer that will allow me to have the latest version of MAC (obviously) but also i would like to have 1 or more versions of windows bootable from mac (via parallels) becuase i need to ensure some sites are UNFORTUNATELY ie compatible !
Bascially im following the guidelines of no fiulm school build with a few modifications
Proposed Specs
Mother board : Gigabyte Z68X-UD7-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard GA-Z68X-UD7-B3 (310)
Processor : Intel Core i7-2600K (310)
RAM : Corsair Vengeance Blue 16 GB PC3-12800 1600mHz DDR3 240-Pin SDRAM Dual Channel Memory Kit for Intel (123)
Case : Antec High-End Performance Case P183 V3 (140)
SSD : OCZ Technology 60 GB Vertex Series SATA II Solid State Drive (Black) OCZSSD2-1VTX60G (90)
Power : Antec CP-850 850 Watt CPX Power Supply Unit for Antec Twelve Hundred, P183 and P193 (180)
Cooling : Corsair Cooling Hydro Series H50 All in One High-performance CPU Cooler CWCH50-1 (70)
HD : 3 x Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.5 inch Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive HD103SI (3x55=165)
Graphics : Gigabyte GV-N460OC-1GI - Carte graphique Nvidia - GTX 460 - 715MHz (std675) - 1GB GDDR5 - PCI-Express (150)
Bluetooth : Targus USB Bluetooth® Adapter - Class 2 ACB10US (30)
Wireless Apple keyboard (65)
27inch screen (200)
For a total of currently 1850 euros
Thoughts ?
Questions :
1) If i understand correctly the SSD Drive is much faster than a HD - therefore i would install OSX on that would i ?
2) woudl it be worth getting another one to install windows ?
3) im looking for a reliable CD-RW DVD -RW drive - any suggestions ?


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Top potential NL sleepers for 2012
Story Highlights
John Mayberry could get 25 HRs, 90 RBI based on full-season projection
With new manager, Jason Motte likely to keep closer's role for Cardinals
Aaron Hill improved after move to D'backs, hitting .301 in Sept. of 2011
If everyone liked sleepers, then they would never fall to the deft drafters. Luckily, we're here to navigate you toward the players you may not have on your radar but should.
Chad Billingsley, for example, has done a great job hiding his potential in the NL. He has gone 11-11, 12-11 and 12-11 in his past three seasons, proving to be little more than a marginal fantasy option.
"We don't really feel like [Billingsley's] a .500 guy," manager Don Mattingly said at spring training. "We feel he's better than that. The stuff says he's better than that. I think we're looking for more consistency and a little steady improvement from Chad.
"We need him to step up and be that No. 2-type guy behind [Clayton Kershaw] that when you go into the series and these guys are hooked up back-to-back that you're going to have trouble with us."
No one should expect much from the Dodgers. But they shouldn't sleep on a talent like Billingsley. He should be capable of going over 200 innings for just the second time in his career and his modest draft position (just 266th overall currently in MockDraftCentral.com's draft averages) will make it easy for him to outperform his draft position.
Billingsley is no longer in that category of a third-year starting pitcher, one of our six favorite sleeper/breakout categories we outlined earlier, but he still is a talent we have yet to see the best from.
He is a lot closer to the 2011 version of Clayton Kershaw than the '11 version of Billingsley himself. This is still an ace in the making. Sometimes power arms just take a little while longer to develop the command and those secondary pitches.
We have already looked at the top fantasy sleepers in the American League, so here is the National League edition, broken down by division and team (with MockDraftCentral's average draft position, at the time of this writing March 8, in parenthesis):
He had a career breakthrough as a 27-year old and now will be given the chance to start for a top contender in a great hitter's park. If you project his numbers for a full season, we could be looking at 25 homers and 90 RBI, not bad for a late-round pick.
Honorable mention: Domonic Brown (368) is ticketed for Triple-A to start the season, but he is an immense speed-and-power talent who could wind up being a must-have in all leagues when he finally arrives. Heck, he could still earn a full-time job out of spring training.
He is in the injury-risk category, coming off his own shoulder woes. A healthy Johnson, though, has the potential to be a top-five fantasy starter. The Marlins gave him plenty of rest, so if you can stomach the shoulder questions, you can get someone who will dramatically outperform his draft position.
Honorable mention: Carlos Zambrano (324) has made his enemies, but he starts with a clean slate and under a manager who can appreciate his competitiveness and quirks. It is too easy to forget last season was his first with an ERA over 4.00. He can be a big winner with a competitive team, which the Marlins hope to be.
If you miss out on Giancarlo Stanton, Heyward is going to be a nice option rounds later. He struggled with his shoulder and the consistency of his swing, but he still has 30-100-100-30 potential. It wouldn't be all that surprising to see him even out-produce Stanton in fantasy because of the steals and better strikeout-to-walk rate. Don't sleep on a yet-to-pop talent like Heyward.
Honorable mention: Jair Jurrjens (217) is the one healthy veteran in the Braves' rotation right now with Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson a bit banged up in front of the quartet of Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor, Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran competing for three rotation spots. Hudson is going to miss most, if not all, of April. Jurrjens is the Braves' Opening Day starter and a solid Low Investment Mound Ace candidate.
He might not be draftable in a standard league if he gets sent to Double-A in mid-spring, but he could produce a .280-20-50 stat line after June, which would make him a fantasy star. The problem considering him a sleeper, though, is that it is more likely his name and hype will get him drafted far sooner than a 19-year-old hitter should ever be considered.
Honorable mention: John Lannan (496) is in a dogfight to make the Nats' bolstered rotation, but he warrants a starting spot and a late-round pick in standard mixed leagues. He is going to be a valuable waiver pickup if you miss out on him in the last round of the draft.
Bay has had two disastrous seasons in New York, but now the fences are being moved in. That gives him a chance to be a .280-25-90 outfielder again, and you will be able to snatch him up with a late-round pick. The potential reward far outweighs the potential risk. He has one good year left in him.
Honorable mention: Ike Davis (178) has prodigious power, but he needs to prove healthy for a full season for the first time. He is an ideal injury-risk sleeper who could develop into a .300-30-100 beast at the deep first base position.
Leake gets little credit for what he has been able to do in his first two professional seasons. It is rare a young arm can go straight to the major leagues and pitch like a winner right away. Leake deserves a spot in the Reds' rotation for the full season and is a sleeper to win 15 games. If he falls into the late rounds -- behind that potentially potent offense -- he can be a real gem of a Low Investment Mound ace.
Honorable mention: Devin Mesoraco (334) has good pop and can run away with the Reds' catcher job this spring, perhaps even NL Rookie of the Year honors. Two of his top competitors for that award will be teammates Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier perhaps. Mesoraco can be a steal as a stopgap catcher if you ignore that position until late.
The converted catcher didn't really take off as closer until the postseason, but he enters spring training as the go-to guy. Plus, he won't have to deal with Tony La Russa's fickle behavior with relievers anymore. Motte could be a 30-plus save stopper for fantasy owners, maybe even 40-plus.
Honorable mention: Jaime Garcia (177) somehow doesn't get the love he deserves. Perhaps it is due to him slotting third in the Cards rotation behind the returning Adam Wainwright and the aging Chris Carpenter. Garcia has the potential to outperform both many rounds later.
He has already shown pop in his bat, but questions still surround his defense at third base. That should be less of a worry at first in place of Prince Fielder. Gamel is capable of performing well enough in spurts to be useful in mixed leagues and can be a solid mid- to late-round value in NL-only formats. He could be a .260-25-90 hitter in his first full season, a great value relative to draft position.
Honorable mention: Randy Wolf (406) probably shouldn't get picked on draft day, but he always tends to be that steady starter who is popular off the waiver wire when he is getting double starts. You wouldn't be far off making him your last-round pick and shuttling him in and out of your fantasy rotation this season.
It is possible, if not likely, Alvarez needs more seasoning in the minors. The Pirates do have a functional stopgap in Casey McGehee, so they can send Alvarez to Triple-A and allow him to prove worthy of being a big-leaguer again. Alvarez was one of the best hitting prospects of his class, but his aggressive approach has gotten him into trouble with extended slumps. If Alvarez finds his niche this season, he can be a real gem of a late-round pick at third base.
Honorable mention: Jose Tabata (253) doesn't do anything on the elite level, but he can be a valuable addition for steals in rotisserie formats. Steals tend to be overpaid for, particularly on players with pop, but Tabata will come affordably and he just might find power to boot.
He won't have to hold off prospect Anthony Rizzo this spring, because Theo Epstein wants LaHair to open the year in Chicago at first and Rizzo to open in Triple-A. LaHair was the Pacific Coast League MVP last season, hitting .331 (.405-.664) with 38 home runs, so there is legit potential here. "Bryan LaHair is our first baseman," Epstein said. "I don't believe in the concept of four-A players. The guy can hit." LaHair is going to be a nice NL-only sleeper and might even have hot streaks that make him worthy of starting in mixed leagues, particularly on days the wind is blowing out in Chicago.
Honorable mention: Ian Stewart (451) never hit his stride last season, but he is now 27 and ready to break through as a big-leaguer. There is still .280-25-90-90 potential here and a strong spring can make him a great late-round pick in mixed formats. Regardless, the Cubs are handing him the starting 3B job unchallenged, something the Rockies never really did a year ago.
Lowrie wasn't a starting shortstop on a contender, but with the Astros he is going to get plenty of rope defensively. At the plate, he has shown flashes of brilliance and he just might develop into a .280-18-80-80 fantasy shortstop. He can be a very valuable late-round stopgap at a thin position.
Honorable mention: Bud Norris (256) is turning 27 this spring and is ready to reach 200 innings for the first time in the major leagues. Those are two very good times to expect a breakthrough for a pitcher. Norris is on a bad ballclub that won't win games, but that will make him affordable on draft day. He is capable of winning 15 games even with this short deck, posting a low-3.00 ERA and striking out over 200 batters. That is a top 25 fantasy starter that will be on the board until very late in most drafts.
His awful '11 will keep him off the radar in many leagues. But he showed a lot of improvement after change of scenery, hitting .301 in September with his move to Arizona. Hill is a late-round pick with early round potential at the still-thin second-base position. Few fantasy picks have that wide a range of potential value.
Honorable mention: Stephen Drew (148) is still dealing with his ankle issue that might keep him out for the start of the season. His draft position should get progressively later. If he falls into the late rounds, he can prove to be worth the gamble. He is a lot closer to being .280-20-80-100-10 guy than anyone might think.
Belt's development is a big key to the Giants and might be for fantasy owners out of the bargain bin as well. Watch him closely in spring and how many starts Aubrey Huff gets in left. Belt has the kind of pop that can help even in mixed formats when he is going well. Young sluggers are famously streaky, and Belt can put some huge weeks together.
Honorable mention: Ryan Vogelsong (224) already broke out a year ago, but since he is an old pitcher who is roughly in the category of a third-year starting pitcher -- with 40-70 career starts -- many are not trusting his numbers. He needs to slip into the late rounds to be worth picking, but he very well might.
This is still an ace in the making. Sometimes power arms just take a little while longer to develop the command and those secondary pitches. Don't miss out on this potential ace late in drafts.
Honorable mention: Dee Gordon (141) performed like a poor man's Jose Reyes last season. If his splits from his rookie year hold up over a full season, this potentially overlooked sophomore can be a huge steal after Round 10, particularly in rotisserie formats for that 70-steal potential.
He assumes the closer's role and might be able to hold off 23-year-old closer of the future, Rex Brothers, for longer than many might anticipate. Betancourt is going to represent a good value at the closer position in fantasy, particularly if those young starters prove capable early.
Honorable mention: If you didn't follow fantasy deep into the August and September, you might have missed Dexter Fowler's (227) arrival as a viable mixed-league fantasy outfielder. He hit .288 with five homers, 51 runs and 10 steals in the second half. His best month was September (. 287-3-15-3). He turns 26 in spring training and might be capable of the .290-15-60-100-25 season we have longed for when he was once an elite outfield prospect.
He looked like a burgeoning fantasy ace last year while making it back from Tommy John surgery, but he wore out his welcome in Cincinnati and now has to remake himself in San Diego. Petco is a great place to do it, even if the Padres won't score that many runs. Volquez can win a Cy Young, he can be that good, so consider him a great value in the Low Investment Mound Ace category.
Honorable mention: The Padres made some offseason deals that ostensibly wound up making them choose the gap-hitting Yonder Alonso (290) over the arc-swinging slugger Rizzo, who failed in his monthlong trial last summer. Alonso has a good strikeout-to-walk rate and the ability to hit .300 in the majors, but his lack of top-shelf power and having to hit in spacious Petco Park make him less intriguing at the first base position in fantasy. That should make him a bargain, though, so if you miss out on a big slugger at first, Alonso can be a great fallback option. The Padres are at least committed to him now, because of the high-profile trades they made putting their eggs in his basket.
Eric Mack writes fantasy for SI.com. You can also find him on Twitter, where you can mock him, rip him and (doubtful) praise him before asking him for fantasy advice @EricMackFantasy. He reads all the messages there (guaranteed) and takes them very, very personally (not really).
Patrick Kane scores game-winner in OT to lead Blackhawks past Blues
Stars recover from slow start, beat Ducks to tie up series


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The Office of Protocol's Privileges and Immunities Unit delivers various information resource services and programs to foreign representations in Canada pursuant to Canada's international obligations and bilateral agreements. Our role includes assisting you in the following key areas:
You may take advantage of our programs and services if you are a member of a diplomatic mission or consular post of a foreign state in Canada, or a member of an international organization or special representation office in Canada.
Because of the way Canada's machinery of government is structured and the division of provincial and federal powers, we work closely with other federal and provincial agencies, and even with other local service providers, for services we are unable to provide to you directly. These other bodies include the following:
We will put you in touch with the resource people in the above agencies when necessary.
To ensure that the Office of Protocol is efficiently and effectively fulfilling its mandate and achieving the objectives of the Diplomatic Corps Services Program (DCSP), the Department recently conducted an Evaluation. The results of this Evaluation are available.
If you have any questions about the privileges and immunities segment of the DCSP or wish to comment on our services, do not hesitate to contact the Manager, Privileges and Immunities, by phone at 613-944-1159 or by email. We usually reply within five working days after receiving your request.
The Privileges and Immunities Unit is normally open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, except on statutory holidays. Please note that foreign representatives require an appointment to visit the Office of Protocol to meet with an officer of this unit.


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Please enter your travel dates.
Standard Double Room
- 1 double
Standard Twin Room, 2 Single Beds
- Two Twin Beds
Quadruple Room
- 1 double
Triple Room, 3 Single Beds
- 3 single
Horley hotel with a restaurant
Collect 200 points.*
Simply enter your Nectar card number on the confirmation page. Your points will be credited 30 days after your trip is complete. *Offers may apply
Situated near the airport, in Horley, this hotel is close to Gatwick Aviation Museum and Manor Royal Business Park. Area attractions also include Crawley Town Hall and St. John the Baptist Church.
Hotel Features
In addition to a restaurant, Airport Inn Gatwick features a bar/lounge. Other amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access and 24-hour room service.
Room Amenities
In addition to complimentary wireless Internet access and air conditioning, guestrooms feature coffee/tea makers along with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!
Hotel Amenities
- General
The hotel offers a restaurant. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. This 3-star property offers access to secretarial services and audiovisual equipment.
Public areas are equipped with complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. This Horley hotel also offers complimentary newspapers in the lobby, laundry facilities, and 24-hour room service. For a surcharge, a roundtrip airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is offered to guests.
- Room service (24 hours)
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Multiple large conference rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Express check-out
- Total number of rooms - 125
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- ATM/banking
- Currency exchange
- Audiovisual equipment
- Business services
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Elevator/lift
- Number of floors - 6
- Restaurant
- Bar/lounge
- Complimentary newspapers in lobby
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Secretarial services
- Internet
Available in all rooms: Free Wi-Fi
Available in some public areas: Free Wi-Fi
- Parking
Self parking (surcharge)
- Room Amenities
- Connecting / adjoining rooms available
- Coffee/tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Air conditioning
- Iron/ironing board
- Free local calls
- Cribs/infant beds available
- Free Wi-Fi
- Dining
English breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning.
24-hour room service is available.
- Accessibility
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible path of travel
- Accessible bathroom
- Accessible parking
- In-room accessibility
- Accessibility equipment for the deaf
- Braille or raised signage
Policies & Fees
- Check-in
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
- Check-out
Check-out time is 11 AM
- Payment types
Accepted at this hotel: JCB International, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club
- General
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
- Fees
- The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
- Breakfast fee: GBP 11.95 per person (approximately)
- Airport shuttle fee: GBP 3.00
- Airport shuttle fee per child: GBP 1.50 (one way), (up to 15 years old)
- Self parking fee: GBP 7.00 per night
- Additional Details
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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Now in its ELEVENTH season, The ROOT 66 Race Series is a series of races put on by racers, bike clubs and shops dedicated to quality mountain bike racing. The ROOT 66 mission is to provide New England riders with the most competitive, yet fun racing for all.
Here's to a fabulous 2014 race season!!! Good luck to all riders and racers.
Jill and Chris
Race Photos
Unfortunately this season we will not have an "official" Root 66 Race photographer on site. Anyone that would like to post their shots here on our website is welcome to do so for all to see!! Click here for past photos.
Support the Connecticut High School MTB Coalition.
Landmine Classic photos@ www.ianmurrayphoto.zenfolio.com
Pat's Peak Photos @ www.mstultzphoto.com
Bikers Edge/ Winsted Woods Photos @ www.video-grams.biz
Hopbrook Photos @ www.coppolaphotography.com
Hopbrook video @ www.coppolaphotography.blogspot.com


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|KLTA Past President's Page Home
Jeff Amrein
Past KLTA President
To e-mail me, CLICK HERE.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT: GraduationBy Jeffrey Amrein
The various classes of 2009 have donned their caps and gowns and have triumphantly crossed the stage, shaken
hands and received diplomas. What a wonderful day for the graduates and such a proud day for their parents,
family and friends. My oldest daughter graduated from high school this May and I thought I might pause to comment on this passage of right since (1) I have the pen and (2) I get to (have to per Shawn) write this article.
My first observation is that upon her graduation, I realized that I am now old enough to have a daughter graduating from high school. This event has marked my age, and I view it that I am not necessarily getting older, just wiser. But her graduation is filled with all of the hope and ambition that marks the beginning of a new generation. Some will find jobs and begin careers, some will start families
and find new homes, some off to college to further studies and academic pursuits. All in all, it is a fresh break on to a new beginning that will lead to new life experiences and new wants and needs. It reminds me of one of my favorite sayings:
"There are seasons, in human affairs, of inward and outward revolution, when new depths seem to be broken up in the soul,
when new wants are unfolded in multitudes, and a new and undefined good is thirsted for.
There are periods when...to dare....is the highest wisdom."
Title Insurance
Back in the Title Insurance World, interest rates are trending up from 4.85% to just over 5.5%. The American Land Title Association has expressed concern that a spike in interest rates could chill the shaky real estate recovery. We are asking our leaders to show concern over increasing rates and establish a prudent fiscal policy that stimulates Real Estate. I believe the recession was precipitated by the real estate woes of 2007-2008. It seems reasonable to understand that we (the real estate industry) will lead the recovery as well.
The new RESPA rule goes into effect in January or 2010. As of this writing, we do not even know if there is or is not going to be an implementation of the RESPA HUD 1 Good Faith Estimate rules. Stay tuned for more on this.
First Time Home Buyers appear to be taking full advantage of the tax credit allowed for 2009. This is oneof the strongest incentive programs for purchasers of real estate in a long time. Lets hope this creates momentum to drive the second home buyers and traders up into play this summer. Convention planning is nearly complete and we have a slate of great meetings and programs for attendees. ALTA will be represented by Chris Abbinante of Fidelity National Title, Bert Rush from First American will do a claims presentation, and the ever-popular Underwriter Panel will convene on Saturday to discuss possibly the new RESPA Rule, if we have one. The meetings will be held at the Ramada Inn in Topeka, and many, many thanks to Chris St. John for his work as Convention Chairperson. The nominating committee report for the 2009-2010 slate of officers is included in this newsletter. Pay close attention to the new leadership roster.
From previous President's Pages:
March, 2006 - Report on the 2006 ALTA Federal Conference
September, 2006 - Opening Remarks
September, 2006 - Report on the 2006 Missouri Land Title Association Annual Convention
September, 2006 - Report on the 2006 Nebraska Land Title Association Annual Convention
October, 2006 - Report on the 2006 ALTA Annual Convention
April, 2006 - Report on the 2006 ALTA Technology Convention
April, 2006 - Report on the 2006 Oklahoma Land Title Association Annual Convention
KLTA Executive Committee Highlights in 2005/2006
Copyright © 2000 - 2009 ~ Kansas Land Title Association ~ All Rights Reserved
Contact Webmaster
Last revision: June 22, 2009


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Florists >Roses & Blooms
599 Lexington Ave, New York, NY | Directions 1002240.757748 -73.970816
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Midtown Center
Best I've Ever Had – This place is amazing. Combines quality, service, and the prices are pretty good too! I bought some flowers for my mom and she called me to let me know she's never received such beautiful flowers before. Thank you Roses and Blooms for making her so happy. I'll definitely be buying more from your website.
Exotic Flowers – They have the most exotic flowers you won't find anywhere else in the city. You can get your regular stuff too, but if you really want to make an impression, they have a great selection of beautiful flowers. Check it out.
Amazing flower quality!!! – My flowers lasted 2 weeks! This place has the best selection I have yet seen.
I am amazed by the styles and the quite reasonable prices. I love the beautiful
english garden style compact work. Mine lasted 14 days. Wow Great. I will be Back.
Roberto Nesius NY,NY
No better than buying from an FTD florist when it comes to deliveries. – I Ordered a bouquet to be delivered same day in the city at about 11:00am to a business. Called to find out where it was at 2pm, was told it was already out for delivery. They called the recipient at 4pm to ask what time she would be at the office until - on a friday. I don't think I really want my flower recipient to look at the flowers for 30 seconds before they go home for the weekend, so they can return to clean up the dead flowers on monday morning - I'll go back to ordering from an FTD florist. cheaper and same level of service.
Editorial Review – Full-service florist featuring roses, plants, gourmet gift baskets, arrangements and more for holidays and special occasions.
Grade: A- – It's difficult to get a A - I'm against grade inflation. Great service, friendly and R&B send some outstanding flowers (although one will get what one pays for). I've used them twice (last time was about three months ago). Call, order and forget it -the flowers will not disappoint.
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By Nellie Akalp for GalTime.com
It's the perfect time to co-promote your small business! Tips for growing your small business
Small Business Saturday is set for November 24, two days after Thanksgiving and a day after Black Friday. On this day, we're encouraged to do our holiday shopping at small local businesses in our community.
This designated shopping holiday encourages a spirit of collaboration among the community, shoppers, and small businesses. Fellow small businesses - whether they're online or brick and mortar - should look for ways throughout the year to join forces with other small businesses because sometimes it's collaboration, not competition, that can take your business to the next level. Here's how:
1. Co-promote your small business with others: Not every business is your competitor. Think of ways you can work with complementary small businesses for joint marketing opportunities. Get creative and look for opportunities anywhere and everywhere. Examples might include:
- A local public relations professional collaborating with other service providers to put on a "small business boot camp" where they offer a helpful mix of expertise on tax advising, obtaining financing, advertising, social media strategy and more.
- A boutique soapmaker teaming up with accessory designers and other crafters to put together a local holiday sale or summer trunk show, bringing in their combined pool of customers.
- A local boutique shop can give discounts for yoga clothing to anyone who takes yoga classes nearby (and vice versa).
RELATED 6 Tips for Networking Success
2. Create a small business referral network: If you're a small business, chances are you're focused on a few areas you do well. However, your customers may have other needs you're unable to meet. Rather than ignoring those customer needs, create a circle of small businesses that you know and trust to recommend to your customers. For example, a copywriter can recommend a graphic designer or web designer to his clients. An interior designer can recommend a landscaper or painter. No matter your industry or occupation, business is driven by referrals and connections.
From personal experience, I'm CEO of a small business that takes care of legal document filings; we help other businesses incorporate, close a business, file a trademark, etc. However, we can't provide specific financial or tax advice to clients. That's why we team up with accountants, CPAs, and tax advisors. While we may not be able to fill a specific need ourselves, we can definitely help our customers get what they need.
The collaborative small business is always on the lookout for opportunities to help fellow small businesses out. Check Meetup.com or your local Chamber of Commerce for a relevant group in your area. You can either join a formal referral group or forge informal alliances with complementary entrepreneurs yourself. Whatever method you choose, just remember that whatever you give out, you'll get back in return.
RELATED 5 Myths About Starting Your Own Business
3. Get inspiration from other small businesses: Your fellow small business owners can be a great source of inspiration and support. Consider joining an industry group, participating in online forums like Quora and LinkedIn.
If you work from home, you can beat the isolation by finding a weekly/monthly local meet-up group or spending some time in collocated office space. Websites like LiquidSpace.com, Loosecubes.com and WorkSnug.com can help you find a co-working space in major cities, but the trend is catching on in smaller towns as well.
By spending time with fellow small business owners, you can share stories, discuss common challenges, and brainstorm solutions. You'll be amazed at just how inspired you can become from the energy of others.
4. Collaborate! I'll be the first to admit that I love a good competition. And any small business owner knows that a competitive streak is key to entrepreneurial success. However, sometimes it's better to see fellow small businesses as partners, not competitors. It's time to harness the power of collaboration to help you attract more customers, get inspired, and grow your business.
More from GalTime.com:
- 3 Inexpensive Ways to Establish an Online Presence
- How Women Compete with Men in the Workplace
- 10 Most Complained About Consumer Services
- Get Paid What You're Worth: 3 Top Tips